Fremantle coach Ross Lyon has released a statement condemning reports linking him to the Collingwood head coaching role.
Perth radio station 6PR reported on Saturday that Lyon had approached the Magpies about the possibility of taking over from Nathan Buckley and coaching the club. However, Collingwood rejected the approach according to the report.
But Fremantle released a stinging statement on Sunday, slamming the claims, with Lyon labelling them "totally without foundation".
Read the Dockers' full statement below:
Fremantle CEO Steve Rosich and senior coach Ross Lyon have dismissed spurious claims reportedly made by Brad Hardie on 6PR that Lyon approached Collingwood about becoming their next coach.
โOur club has a policy of not responding to rumour and innuendo, however in this case, because the report is utterly false and personal in nature, we felt compelled as a club to issue todayโs statement,โ Rosich said.
โRoss is contracted to the club through to the end of the 2020 season and has made it very clear that he is firmly committed to his role as senior coach of the Fremantle Football Club.
โHis sole focus is on returning the team to a pathway of sustained finals success.
โRossโ application and dedication to what we are trying to achieve as a club has not wavered and can not be questioned.โ
Given the timing of the fabricated claim, Lyon said it was important that he and the club respond to reassure all Fremantle members and supporters of his commitment to the players and the club.
โI am bitterly disappointed that such so called journalism even sees the light of day,โ Lyon said.
โI have contacted Brad Hardie directly and voiced my disgust at his comments.
โThey are totally without foundation and not based on fact in anyway, shape or form.
โSuch an erroneous and reckless claim should be exposed for what it is โ a complete fabrication and a falsehood.
โIt is also important for our members and supporters to know that I couldnโt be more be committed to what we are trying to achieve as a club at the Fremantle Dockers.
โI can assure our members and supporters that I am totally focused on returning the club to sustained finals success.โ
